Awaiting assessment for 2 year old son

Hi,

we are in Scotland our diagnosis took around 5 months.

We approached health visitor about our concerns who asked us to fill out a whole book of questions then she went to observe at his nursery centre. (Son was 2 1/2) She referred to doctor. Time between HV referral and doctor appointment 8 weeks. At doc appointment there was a play worker who tested my son while I spoke to doctor. Results received there and then he was advanced in all areas except social skills/language and communication. I was asked if I wanted a full diagnosis.

That consisted of a SALT coming to my house to take notes - watch us interact and I think to check his living surroundings- check that I have enough age appropriate toys etc.

then she went to his nursery to observe him interacting and she wrote a report. The same play worker who assessed him at the surgery went to his nursery to observe him and also wrote a report.

time was around 12 week - so 5 months in total

my son was diagnosed with autism (high functioning) and he has hyperlexia. (Reading and writing age 2). Even with a diagnosis we were given no help, services or assistance from nhs.

my recommendation is to contact ASN charities in your area they all offer support from communication classes to information sessions without a diagnosis. The parents of other children are a great support. Check your local universities for students studying ABA therapy or other strategies. They will be grateful of experience and will be low cost so win win. . Contact a SALT they are expensive but very worth it. The ones who do child led play are better. My son is now fully verbal with no jargon.she gave me amazing advice aswell and strategies to work on at home. After 16 private SALT sessions my son no longer harms any other children at nursery and can communicate needs no problem. He has gaps in his development as far as back and forth social communication goes but otherwise he’s doing well.

my advise for fast referral assessment is to keep on at your health visitor and doctor - keep calling them, if you have a rough day, call them, tell them things are difficult. note the dates and times you call and let them know you are keeping a diary -ask them to note it on their records too... I think that’s what got out diagnosis so quickly x

Hi,

we are in Scotland our diagnosis took around 5 months.

We approached health visitor about our concerns who asked us to fill out a whole book of questions then she went to observe at his nursery centre. (Son was 2 1/2) She referred to doctor. Time between HV referral and doctor appointment 8 weeks. At doc appointment there was a play worker who tested my son while I spoke to doctor. Results received there and then he was advanced in all areas except social skills/language and communication. I was asked if I wanted a full diagnosis.

That consisted of a SALT coming to my house to take notes - watch us interact and I think to check his living surroundings- check that I have enough age appropriate toys etc.

then she went to his nursery to observe him interacting and she wrote a report. The same play worker who assessed him at the surgery went to his nursery to observe him and also wrote a report.

time was around 12 week - so 5 months in total

my son was diagnosed with autism (high functioning) and he has hyperlexia. (Reading and writing age 2). Even with a diagnosis we were given no help, services or assistance from nhs.

my recommendation is to contact ASN charities in your area they all offer support from communication classes to information sessions without a diagnosis. The parents of other children are a great support. Check your local universities for students studying ABA therapy or other strategies. They will be grateful of experience and will be low cost so win win. . Contact a SALT they are expensive but very worth it. The ones who do child led play are better. My son is now fully verbal with no jargon.she gave me amazing advice aswell and strategies to work on at home. After 16 private SALT sessions my son no longer harms any other children at nursery and can communicate needs no problem. He has gaps in his development as far as back and forth social communication goes but otherwise he’s doing well.

my advise for fast referral assessment is to keep on at your health visitor and doctor - keep calling them, if you have a rough day, call them, tell them things are difficult. note the dates and times you call and let them know you are keeping a diary -ask them to note it on their records too... I think that’s what got out diagnosis so quickly x

Please, please give ABA a wide berth - it's been proven to have a long-term negative impact on autistic people's mental health. I know all parents are just trying to do what's best for their child, but a lot of autistic adults who went through ABA in childhood campaign against it very strongly.